Non-aligned countries reject US sanctions on Venezuela
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Venezuela's U.N. ambassador has read out a statement from a group of 120 developing countries rejecting President Barack Obama's decision to renew sanctions on several of his country's top officials.
The statement Friday from the Non-Aligned Movement of countries not formally linked to any major power bloc expressed its support for Venezuela and criticized the Obama administration.
A year ago, the U.S. sanctioned seven Venezuelan officials, accusing them of perpetrating human rights violations and corruption in the socialist-governed country. This week, Venezuelan officials said Obama had informed leaders in Congress that the sanctions would be renewed because the situation in Venezuela had not improved.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ambassador Rafael Ramirez told reporters at the U.N. that Venezuela believes the sanctions are an effort "to destabilize our country and our government."